Console Players Will Soon Be Able to Disable Overwatch Aim Smoothing

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Blizzard has been keenly listening to its community and is finally ready to address concerns around the Overwatch aim smoothing option on consoles.

The game features a rather limiting control scheme when compared with other console shooters. At present, the Overwatch aim smoothing option is enabled by default and cannot be adjusted or disabled by players. However, an upcoming update will change that.

For those unaware, aim smoothing is basically a feature on console shooters to help players turn quicker. Without the advantage of a mouse, players use an added acceleration value to quickly get the drop on enemies behind them.

“We’re going to add two options in an upcoming patch,” confirmed lead engineer Tim Ford on the official forums. “First, we’ll add a slider for aim smoothing. It will default to the current smoothing/acceleration in the game today (full smoothing, low acceleration). As you drag it towards zero, you’ll get less smoothing (higher acceleration). At zero, smoothing is disabled (instant acceleration).”

In addition, Blizzard is adding a new aim technique called Linear Ramp to help players turn in the direction they spin their analog sticks. It will not only be faster but also more accurate, once the muscle memory starts kicking in.

“If you use this technique along with disabled aim smoothing, you will rotate commensurate to the angle you deflect the aim stick multiplied by your sensitivity,” explained the developer.

There is no word on when the update will be released for Overwatch. In comparison to the PC version of the game, console updates have to go through a lengthy certification process. Both Sony and Microsoft must pass every update before it is allowed to be released for the consumers. In that light, the handy Overwatch aim smoothing slider is likely to arrive after taking its sweet time.